Flygande Jacob
Flying Jacob
A beloved 1970s Swedish comfort food casserole featuring tender chicken, sweet bananas, crispy bacon, and a creamy chili sauce. Despite its unusual combination, it's a surprisingly delicious and satisfying dish.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Cooked roast chicken
- 2 Ripe but firm bananas
- 200 g Smoked bacon
- 300 ml Heavy cream
- 100 ml Chili sauce(Use a mild to medium sweet chili sauce for best results.)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 50 g Optional garnish: Roasted peanuts
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease a medium-sized ovenproof dish (approx. 20x30 cm or 8x12 inches).
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Cook the diced bacon in a frying pan over medium heat until crispy and golden brown. Drain off most of the rendered fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. Set the crispy bacon aside on a plate lined with paper towels.
⏱️ 10-12 minutes - 3
Arrange the shredded or diced cooked chicken evenly in the bottom of the prepared ovenproof dish.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 4
Layer the banana slices evenly over the chicken.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 5
In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and chili sauce until well combined. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Pour this creamy sauce evenly over the chicken and banana layers.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 6
Sprinkle the crispy bacon evenly over the top of the casserole.
⏱️ 1 minute - 7
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the top is lightly golden. The bananas should be soft and slightly caramelized.
⏱️ 30-35 minutes - 8
Remove from the oven. If using, sprinkle with chopped roasted peanuts just before serving. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Flygande Jacob was invented in the 1970s by Ove Jacobsson, a pilot, hence the name 'Flying Jacob'.
- ✓The sweet and savory combination is unexpected but delicious.
- ✓Traditionally served with fluffy white rice and often garnished with roasted peanuts for added crunch.
- ✓Ensure your bananas are ripe but still firm to prevent them from becoming mushy during baking.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a less sweet version, reduce the number of bananas or use slightly underripe ones.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cream mixture for a spicier kick.
- Substitute cooked turkey or ham for the chicken.
- A sprinkle of grated cheese (like Gruyère or cheddar) on top before baking can add another layer of flavor.